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Article Title: His Own Worst Enemy: The Rise and Fall of Grover Cleveland Alexander

Full Citation: Andrea I Paul, "His Own Worst Enemy: The Rise and Fall of Grover Cleveland Alexander," Nebraska History 71 (1990): 2-12.

URL of article: http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/publicat/history/full-text/NH1990Alexander.pdf

Date: 1/29/2014

Article Summary: This is the story of Hall of Fame major league Grover Cleveland Alexander, who rose to greatness in the world of and died poverty-stricken in his hometown of St Paul, Nebraska. His life was marked by professional success and personal failure.

Cataloging Information:

Names: , William Alexander, Martha Grover Cleveland, , , Napoleon Lajoie, , , , , , , , Aimee Arrants Alexander, Joe McCarthy, Roger Hornsby, Bill Sherdel, , , , , , , , , Les Nunamaker, , , Clarence Mitchell, Tim Burke, Gregg Olson, , Pickles Dillhoefer, Mike Pendergast, Ronald Reagan, Doris Day, Hans Lobert, Douglas Fairbanks Sr

Place Names: St Paul, Nebraska; Aurora, Nebraska; South Platte, Nebraska; Galesburg, ; St Louis, ; Indianapolis, Indiana; Syracuse, Nebraska; , ; Cooperstown, ; Central City, Nebraska; Burwell, Nebraska; Knox College; Omaha, Nebraska; Evansville, Indiana; Long Beach, California

Keywords: 342nd Field Artillery; St Paul Phonograph, National Baseball Hall of Fame, St Louis Cardinals; ; Howard County Telephone Company; Illinois-Missouri League; Regal Shoe Company; Syracuse Journal; Philadelphia Athletics; ; (Philadelphia); Cubs; 1926 ; (movie); ; House of David (baseball team)

Photographs / Images: Grover Cleveland Alexander as a St Louis Cardinal, 1926-1930; Grover Cleveland Alexander in World War I uniform; Thirteen inductees into baseball's Hall of Fame; Alexander as a player- with the House of David baseball team from 1931-1936; Inset poem "Alexander the Great" by Walt Mason; Grover Cleveland Alexander pitching to Douglas Fairbanks Sr with Bill Killefer of the catching; Aimee Alexander with Ronald Reagan during filming of The Winning Team; Inset "Nebraskans in including photos of Bob Gibson, Grover C Alexander

HIS OWN WORST ENEMY: THE RISE AND FALL OF GROVER CLEVELAND ALEXANDER By Andrea I. Paul

The life of Grover Cleveland Alexan­ New York flea circus and appeared in a earning $1.75 a day. His Sundays were der, a Nebraska farm boy who scaled penny arcade, earning pocket money spent playing baseball for the St. Paul the heights of baseball greatness and by answering questions about his glory team. In June he was recruited by the died poverty-stricken and virtually days. Only a few months after his 1939 Central City team, and on June 30 he friendless in his hometown, was induction into baseball's Hall of Fame, recorded his first victory for his new marked by great successes pro­ Alexander summed up his financial team by downing Aurora, 7-2. The local fessionally and miserable personal condition by complaining, "They gave newspaper referred to their new failures. As the third winningest me a tablet up at the Cooperstown Hall pitcher as George Alexander, a mistake pitcher in major league history, the of Fame, but I can't eat any tablet."2 the reporter would not make again, and legend known as "Alexander the Twice married and divorced from the claimed that his pitching "proved to be Great" holds national league records same woman, Grover Cleveland Alex­ a mystery to the South Platte for victories, career , and com­ ander died alone in a St. Paul, Ne­ warriors."4 During that season with plete games; the rookie record for vic­ braska, rooming house on November 4, Central City, Alexander's pitching tories; and the season record for 1950. remained a mystery to the opposition shui:outs. In one three-year span, he The son of William Alexander, an as he won twenty-one games, including won ninety-four games for the Elba (Nebraska) farmer, and his wife, a no-hitter, while losing only four Philadelphia Phillies. The height of his Martha, Grover Cleveland Alexander contests. success came in 1926 when he pitched was born on February 26,1887, and was From Central City, Alexander went the St. Louis Cardi6als to a world named after the president of the to Burwell, where he pitched during championship, in the process striking United States. Baseball's influence September and early October 1908, Tony Lazzeri with the bases loaded, was strong in rural areas during the compiling a winning record. Among his in what many consider to be the game's early years of this century, and it's victories were two against the cele­ most famous . likely that Grover and his twelve brated Green's Nebraska Indians, one In contrast to his baseball career, brothers were involved in the sport of the best semi-pro teams in the Alexander's personal life was marred during their childhood. In reviewing his Midwest.5 by physical and emotional problems. local career, the St. Paul Phonograph Word of Alexander's success Deafened by artillery shells during reported in 1926 that Grover Alexander reached semi-professional teams out­ World War I, he also suffered from played with the Elba team, as well as side Nebraska. In 1909 his professional epilepsy.' It is unclear whether these with other local teams that needed a career began when Alexander signed a afflictions contributed to his alcohol­ good pitcher. In the fall of 1907, he contract with Galesburg of the Illinois­ ism, a problem that reached legendary attracted outside attention when he Missouri League. Alexander's physical proportions. After a twenty-year major pitched a game for Ord at the Valley attributes - over six feet in height with league career, Alexander was removed County Fair, winning 8-0 while striking red hair and freckles - were immed­ from the lineup by the Cardinals after a out thirteen batters. During a game the iately reported by a Galesburg news­ drinking binge and ended his career next day, he held Ord's opponent paperman, who described him as with a barnstorming House of David scoreless for four , earning a blonde of the ruddy type ... (with) the build of a team. After his retirement from another victory and a reputation in cen­ switch engine. Manager Jap (Wagner) figures he organized baseball, Alexander joined a 3 can see the big strawberry slinger floating up puz­ tral Nebraska. zles to the opposing batsmen already and is much In 1908 Alexander was working for taken with his looks.6 Andrea I. Paul is assistant state archivist the Howard County Telephone Com­ at the Nebraska State Historical Society. pany, doing field construction work and The Galesburg Boosters' first test 3 Nebraska History - Spring 1990

was an exhibition game against home­ town Knox College, a 6-4 win. Alexan­ der ended the game as a , keeping the collegians "guessing all the time." His legendary pinpoint control was not yet evident as he walked three batters during this brief appearance.7 He was back in form for the season opener against Monmouth, striking out nine men but losing the game 5-4 because of three errors committed by his teammates. After two victories over Pekin" in mid-May-a one-hitter in which Alexander himself got three hits and a in which Alexander struck out sixteen-the Galesburg press nicknamed him "Alexander the Great."x The St. Paul newspapers followed Alexander's success with unabashed glee, although the nickname attached to him in the local press was "Dode." After his first victory over Pekin, the St. Paul Phonograph-Press reported, "It is evident that 'Dode' has won a home in Galesburg. May he continue to strike them out at every game."') There were many highlights in Alex­ ander's first season of organized baseball. In one game, Alexander a ball out of the park, over a Regal shoe sign in left field. He received a bonus of ten dollars after the players passed a hat among the fans and presented the collection to Alexander after the game. In addition, he was awarded a pair of Regal shoes. lo In another game, Alex­ ander led the Boosters to a 1-0 eleven victory over Pekin, allowing only five hits by the opposition and driving in the winning himself. I I As his fame grew, Alexander was given still another nickname, "0. U. Alexander" (to be read as "Oh, you Alexander") and was sometimes

During World War I Alexander served with the 342nd Artillery Battalion of the Eighty-ninth Infantry. A shrapnel wound to his right ear and partial deafness caused by the roar ofartillery contributed to his later health prob­ lems. Courtesy of National Baseball Library, Cooperstown, New York.

4 Grover Cleveland Alexander

Alexander was one ofthe original thirteen inductees into baseball's Hall,of Fame. Here he poses in 1939 with greats ofthe game: Honus Wagner (standing at left), Alexander, Tris Speaker, Napoleon Lajoie, George Sisler, WalterJohnson; Eddie C9llins (sitting at left), Babe Ruth, Connie Mack, and Cy Young. Courtesy ofNational Baseball Library, Cooperstown, New York. referred to as "0. U. Alex."12 After Alexander's next game was even on first base when the ball was hitto the Alexander pitched a no-hitter against more spectacular, ' as he made league , who tossed the ball to Canton on July 22, the Galesburg history by pitching an eighteen inning the , forcing out Alexander. In newspaperman took dramatic license 1-0 victory. He allowed only 'eight hits, attempting to throw out the runner at to describe the game and the front page not giving up any hits during the first first for a play, the shortstop news of a local fire: "Emulating the nine innings of the game and striking struck Alexander in the head with the I4 example of Nero who, fiddled while out nineteen batters overall. ball, knocking him unconscious. IS Rome was consumed by the flames, Alexander's extraordinary season For the next three weeks, Alexander Alexander the great fiddled with Can­ came to an end just a few days later in a remained in bed. When he tried to ton while the Methodist religious freak accident, which occurred while he stand up, he complained of a dizziness edifice went up in smoke."13 was runni~ the bases. Alexander was and problems with his eyes. 16 In an 5 Nebraska History - Spring 1990

Alexander (left) was g, player-manager with the barnstorming House of David baseball team from 1931 to 1936. From Wide World Photos, St. Louis Bureau, collections of National Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, New York. effort to help Alexander receive the days later. His blurred vision gone, pitching and winning both games of a treatment he needed (and to dump a Alexander won all three games, causing double-header against Wilkes-Barre perhaps permanently injured player), the local press to brag, "With Dode on on July 20, Alexander also won a new the Galesburg franchise sold him to the hill for the locals ... we can take care nickname, "Iron Man."20 Indianapolis of the American Associa­ of any team in this section of the Until then, the Stars were mired in tion. In Indianapolis Alexander was country."19 sixth place. Alexander soon began a placed under the care of an eye Alexander never got a chance to streak in which he would win his last specialist for the remainder of the for Indianapolis, because the twelve games. By August 27 with season. I? The bestwishes ofhis St. Paul manager felt his injury was a career­ league-leading Wilkes-Barre in Syra­ neighbors went with Alexander as the ending one. In what was considered by cuse to face the Stars in a double­ St. Paul Phonograph-Press wrote, "We Indianapolis management to be a header, Syracuse had moved into hope to be able to tell our readers, shrewd move, Alexander was "un­ second place. After shutting out within a short time, of his complete loaded" to the Syracuse Stars of the Wilkes-Barre 4-0, the Syracuse Journal recovery, and that he is back in the New York State League in a cash deal. claimed that Alexander had game once more and doing his usual Ultimately, it was Syracuse that effective work."18 benefitted from this transaction, as accomplished what no other player has even come close to doing and he has substantial cause Although Alexander didn't pitch for Alexander won twenty-nine games for to feel proud, although he isn't. Alexander is one Indianapolis that season, he did return the Stars in 1910, pitching thirteen of those unassuming chaps that takes things as to St. Paul to pitch for the locals against shutouts over the season and holding they come, good, bad, or indifferent. He is the same quiet individual at all times. However, his Scotia on October 1, against Greeley on the opposition scoreless over the last friends, and he has an army of them, did the gloat­ October 3, and against North Loup two fifty-two innings that he worked. After ing for him. 2 1 6 Grover Cleveland Alexander

His army of friends in St. Paul met him at the depot after the 1910 season Alexander the Great ended to congratulate him on his "How big was Alexander, pa, that people called him great?" accomplishments and to claim that "My son, he used to swat the ball when'er it crossed the plate. "the big 'Sorrel Top' is the king ofthem I've seen him knock it half a mile, and thereby the game; all when it comes to pitching."22 The No wonder that the nations ring with Alexander's fame. local fans were anxious to see Alexan­ I've seen him in a crucial place leap twenty cubits high, der pitch before he joined the major And claw the blooming firmament to a whizzing fly. league Philadelphia Phillies the next In all departments of the game he is a humming bird, season. They got their opportunity in And would-be rivals seem to me incompetent, absurd. September and October as he beat I've seen him plunge for seven yards then upon his face Ravenna and Ord easily, carrying his Until the called him at third or second base. shutout streak through sixty-two suc­ I've seen the fans stand on their heads and tear their clothes and howl ce ssive innings.23 When Alexander jumped the fence and nailed a soaring foul. Despite his exceptional seasons with The conduct of our public schools is sure a thing of shame, Galesburg and Syracuse, Alexander When growing youths have never heard of Alexander's fame. was not a shoo-in to make the Phillies roster. The Philadelphia sportswriters Our educators should reform; their system's out of plumb; were withholding judgment until they They'll have to hump themselves and change their whole curriculum." could see Alexander tested against a - Walt Mason26 worthy opponent. Alexander got his chance in an exhibition game against cross-town rival and reigning world Alexander unappreciated, the St. Paul ball that way. , who batt­ champions, the Philadelphia Athletics. Phonograph adopted the local ed against Alexander while playing for To everyone's surprise, he held Connie favorite's cause by stating, the Reds, said, Mack's team hitless during his five­ If it hadn't been for the St. Paul ball player this inning appearance. The St. Paul year, the Phillies would never have been heard of. I always felt that perhaps Grover Cleveland During the time they were making history on the Alexander was the greatest of them all, because newspaper picked up the story from ball field it was the 'big fellow' from here done of the conditions under which he played. Sixteen Philadelphia and reported, "Five the work.27 shutouts in 1916 in Baker Bowl, where there was mixed veterans and bushel' curvers Alexander returned to the Phillies in practically only a running track between first base and the rightfield wall. Only a giant could do scaled the pitching ~eak and all did 1912 and although his won-loss ratio, a thing like that.28 high class work, but honors easily 19-17, was somewhat disappointing, he belonged to Emperor Alexander, the again led the league in . Certainly the Phillies' greatest giant pitcher from Syracuse."24 His average (ERA) at 2.81 achievement during Alexander's peak By June 1 Alexander's record stood was also well below the 3.00 mark, the years was their first and sub­ at eight and two, tops in the National number considered the dividing line sequent appearance in the 1915 World League. The Philadelphia press con­ between an average pitcher and a Series. In the series, Alexander pitched cluded that he was a consistent winner superior one. Over the next five years one victory over the Red Sox, because of his "torpedo speed and an Alexander compiled a stunning record the Phillies' only victory in the five­ unhittable curve."25 By the end of his of 143 wins and fifty losses for the game series. (Although the Phillies also rookie season, Alexander led the Phillies, nearly three times as many vic­ appeared in the World Series in 1950, it league in victories (28), shutouts (7), tories as defeats. During the seasons of wasn't until their 1980 appearance that complete games (31), and innings 1914, 1915, 1916, and 1917, he led the another Phillies pitcher notched a pitched (367). Alexander's praises were league in victories and innings pitched. World Serieswin.) In his second game, sung by Phillies fans, particularly in his Three of those years he led the league Alexander allowed the Red Sox only hometown of St. Paul, where praises in ERA. two runs, but his teammates could not were sung in rhymed verse (above). According to his contemporaries, solve the opposing pitcher and the On his return to St. Paul at the end of Alexander's most amazing feat was Phillies went down to defeat. his first major league season, he was pitching sixteen shutouts in 1916, four After the 1917 season, Alexander greeted by hundreds of fans. After win­ in a row coming in Baker Bowl, a and Bill Killefer were traded to ning twenty-eight games for the "cracker box" ofa that was the the Chicago Cubs for pitcher Mike Pren­ Phillies, Alexander's St. Paul fans were Phillies' home park. The right field dergast, catcher "Pickles" Dillhoefer, upset with the salary of $3,200 offered wall, only 280 feet from home plate, and $55,000. The Phillies were known by the team for the next season. Calling invited left-handed hitters to pull the for running a tight-fisted operation and 7 Nebraska History - Spring 1990

Alexander's steadily increasing salary baseball in 1919, Alexander became the placed on indefinite suspension. -upto $7,000 in 1915-andthe $55,000 mainstay of the Cubs pitching staff, The Cubs placed Alexander on cash incentive led to completion of recording sixteen wins and leading the waivers, and the Cardinals' player­ the deal. league with a 1.72 ERA. After the 1920 manager, , picked up World War I disrupted the baseball season, he was proclaimed the league's the veteran pitcher for $6,000. At the careers of many, and Alexander spent leading pitcher after notching twenty­ age of thirty-nine, the man called "Old most of 1918 serving in France with the seven wins and, for the second year in a Pete"31 by his teammates, made his 342nd Field Artillery. Controversy sur­ row, allowing the fewest runs per first start for the Cardinals and beat rounded Alexander's arrival in the game. McCarthy's Cubs, 3··2. He went on to army as some newspapers had pinned During his years with the Cubs, Alex­ win nine ofhis sixteen starts for his new the label of "draft dodger" upon the ander's reputation for drinking came team and helped to propel the Card­ thirty-one-year-old star. The St. Paul into public view. According to his wife, inals to their first pennant. Phonograph, always Alexander's his drinking became a problem after his It is ironic that Alexander's most staunch supporter, came to his defense return from Europe. The nation's pro­ remembered achievement is a game by detailing his "perfect willingness to hibition law did not stand in the way of that he saved, rather than won, in the go to war" and his "biggest piece Alexander, who, as a professional against the Yankees. of patriotism ... when he invested $500 ballplayer, found it easy to gain admit­ Alexander easily beat the heavily in Third Liberty Loan Bonds."29 tance into speakeasies wherever the favored Yankees of Ruth and Gehrig in Alexander was married to Aimee Cubs played. games two and six by scores of 6-2 and Arrants, a St. Paul neighbor, before In 1926 Joe McCarthy became the 10-2. The world championship was to being sentto Europe. He went overseas new Cubs manager. According to be determined by . with the Eighty-ninth Division and saw Aimee, problems started when Alexan­ The stories of Alexander's appear­ service in the Argonne, rising to the der broke his ankle and McCarthy, who ance in that final game are many. rank of sergeant. He endured what had to pass the hospital every day, did According to some, Alexander knew appeared to be a minor shrapnelwound not choose to visit the ailing that he might be called upon to pitch in to his right ear. This injury would superstar.30 Early in the season, Alex­ that game so he held off on a victory require medical attention years later. ander had to be sent back to Chicago celebration after his game six win. On his return to major league after a drinking binge, and he was Others claim that Alexander cele­ brated so thoroughly the night before that "he practically needed a seeing­ Grover Cleveland Alexander (left) pitching to Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. Catcher is Bill eye dog to guide him in from the bull Killefer of the Chicago Cubs. Courtesy of The , St. Louis, Missouri. pen" when he was called upon to pro­ tect the Cardinal 3-2 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning ..12 When Alexander arrived at the pitcher's mound, the Yankees had the bases loaded and Tony Lazzeri at the plate. Lazzeri, a rookie who had played in the the year before, had acquired the nickname "Poosh 'Em Up" by in 222 runs for his minor league team. During his first year with the Yankees, Lazzeri had knocked in 114 runs, second only to Ruth. After starting Lazzeri out with a ball, Alexander delivered a called strike. On the next pitch, Lazzeri lashed at an inside that whistled down the left field line and curved foul at the last moment. Alexander later recalled, "A few feet more and he'd have been a hero and I'd have been a bum."33 On the next pitch, Alexander broke off a sharp 8 Grover Cleveland Alexander .

curve, low and away, that Lazzeri missed. To many, this was the most famous strikeout in World Series his­ tory. It should not be forgotten, however, that Alexander came back to hold the Yankees hitless for the final two innings, preserving the Cardinals' victory. Although Alexander asserted that Cardinal Bill Sherdel was the hero of the series,34 the St. Paul press would have none of it. Never prone to understatement, the St. Paul Phonograph viewed Alexander's per­ formance as a wonderful exhibition of nerve and good judg­ ment. That is why we verily believe Alexander was a supennan when he faced the Yanks on last Sunday afternoon and pulled the game from the yawning abyss ofdefeat and safely stowed it away in the archives of the baseball commission where it will remain for all time as one of the greatest feats in world's series conflicts. And again we claim Alexander as the hero of the series and entitled to all the credit for winning the world's series.35 Alexander's homecoming celebra­ tion attracted some 20,000 people on October 27, 1926. The St. Paul Phonograph detailed the day's events, which included a baseball game be­ tween Ord and Howard County players, speeches in honor of Alexander, the presentation of a watCh charm to the hero, a barbecue in which some 12,000 sandwiches were served, and a street dance that lasted until midnight.36 During the 1927 season, the forty­ year-old Alexander recorded twenty­ one wins for the Cardinals with a 2.52 Alexander's life story was depicted in The Winning Team, a Warner Brothers film of ERA. He contributed sixteen victories 1952 starring Ronald Reagan as Alexander and Doris Day as Aimee Alexander. Mrs. to the pennant-winning effort of 1928, Alexander, shown with Reagan, served as an advisor to the project. Courtesy of but his World Series appearances that National Baseball Library, Cooperstown, New York. year were a contrast to his showing two years earlier. Pitching in two games against the Yankees, the "Bronx Bom­ bers" had their revenge on Alexander atop the National League list of career stardom. He lost his three decisions by scoring nine runs in the five innings win leaders. with the Phillies in 1930 and was that he worked. The Yankees swept the It was to be Alexander's last major released early in the season. Cardinals easily in four games. league victory. After a colossal drinking Alexander retired, believing that he In 1929 the veteran pitcher won nine binge in Philadelphia, where he dis­ had captured the National League and lost eight, maintaining a record of appeared for three days, he was placed mark for total career victories, third in never having a losing season. With his on vacation at full pay, rather than sus­ the major leagues behind Cy Young and ninth victory that year, Alexander pended, for the rest of the season. That Walter Johnson. Ironically in the late recorded his 373rd win, puttinghim one winter he was traded to the Phillies, the 1940s, a statistician discovered that win ahead of Christy Mathewson and team with which he had first gained Christy Mathewson had won a game in

9 Nebraska History - Spring 1990

NEBRASKANS IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL Of the more than eighty Nebraskans Unlike Crawford, who had to wait ever to play the game. They would form who have played major league baseball, forty years before entering the Hall of the nucleus of a hypothetical all­ only three have been enshrined in the Fame in 1957, Pitcher Bob Gibson was Nebraska all-star team. As a starting National Baseball Hall of Fame in elected in 1981, his first year on the point for further debate, here are my Cooperstown, New York. Besides ballot. During his seventeen-year ca­ choices for the other players on the Grover Cleveland Alexander, the other reer with the St. Louis Cardinals (1959­ roster: Nebraskans at Cooperstown are 75), Gibson earned a reputation as an 1B Johnny Hopp, Hastings Wahoo Sam Crawford (his Hall of Fame intimidating presence on the mound, 2B Bob Johnson, Omaha plaque is the only one that designates a whose pitches could be overpowering. 3B Wade Boggs, Omaha home town as part of the honoree's Much of his drive to succeed was SS Ron Hansen, Oxford name) and Omaha native Bob engendered by racism he encountered OF Sam Crawford, Wahoo Gibson. in the South, first with Creighton Richie Ashburn, Tilden Crawford played in the same Detroit University's team and later Billy Southworth (player­ as , whose fame tend­ in with the Cardinals. Of manager), Harvard ed to overshadow the Nebraskan's such experiences Gibson said, "It C Les Nunamaker, Malcolm (A accomplishments. During his nineteen­ taught me toughness, on top of having sentimental choice - he was year major league career (1899-1917), to pitch to hitters like ." Alexander's catcher in St. Crawford stroked 2,964 hits, led his The recipient of two Cy Young Paul.) league in home runs three times, and Awards and the 1968 National League P Grover Cleveland Alexander recorded 312 triples, the still existing most valuable player, Gibson's won­ (RH), Elba mark for three-baggers. His power and loss record was 251-174, with a career Bob Gibson (RH), Omaha speed accounted for his ability to hitfor ERA of 2.91. His major league record Mel Harder (RH), Beemer extra bases. Many baseball historians ERA mark of 1.12 over 300 innings in a Clarence Mitchell (LH), Franklin believe that if Crawford had played single season (1968) still stands. Tim Burke (RHreliever), Omaha during the live-ball era, he would have In Bob Gibson and Grover Cleveland Gregg Olson (RH reliever), contended for titles with Alexander, Nebraskans can claim two Omaha Babe Ruth. of the greatest right-handed

GROVER C . ALEXANDER PITCH""', CHIC"<:;Q N4TlONAU!I )

From NSHS Collections Grover Cleveland Alexander

1902 for which he had not been given had gone there as part of a lecture tour victories. After associates had made credit, thus placing Mathewson and and had awakened alone after the other arrangements, Alexander attended the Alexander in a tie for National League members ofthe tour group left. He then last two games of the World Series in career victories. By that time, it was worked as a guard at Wright Aeronauti­ New York, unrecognized in the crowd much too late for Alexander to break cal Corporation and as a cafe floor and by the press. Back in St. Paul, he the record. manager. Both jobs were too hard on found himself unable to get a drink in The remaining years of Alexander's his legs, and at the time the article was town as the local bartenders refused to life were marred by frustration, illness, written, Alexander was unemployed serve him. In a letter to Aimee (from and poverty. Aimee had divorced him and wondering if he would be expelled whom he was divorced again in 1941), in 1929 after stating in court that Alex­ from his current hotel room. He was Alexander expressed his discontent ander had tried to take "the cure" six also worried about his right ear, which with life in St. Paul, writing, "I can't times but had reverted to his old habits had been nearly eaten away by an infec­ figure out why I was such a fool to come shortly after each attemptY From 1931 tion related to his World War I here to be treated as I am and after the to 1936, he played with the traveling shrapnel wound.42 days when I had been heard Of."45 Less House of David team. 3X Unlike his Turning up in Long Beach, Califor­ than a month after penning that line, religiously influenced teammates, nia, four years later, Alexander had lost Grover Cleveland Alexander, at age Alexander was permitted to shave his right ear and the hearing in his left sixty-three, was found dead in his every day. He tried to land a job as a ear was impaired. The local newspaper rooming house. His old team, the St. major league pitching or there reported that he had recently Louis Cardinals, paid for Alexander's manager, but his reputation insured fallen down the stairs of an Albuquer­ steel casket and his funeral service. He that he would not be considered. The que hote1. 43 Later that year, Alexander was buried in St. Paul's Elmwood $250,000 that Alexander was thought to was arrested in East St. Louis when he Cemetery in the Alexander family have earned during his career had long was found wandering through the plot. since been spent on high living. 39 streets in his pajamas. Wherever he At the time of Alexander's death, He was in and out of both jail and went during his last years, a story nationally syndicated columnist Grant­ court, once being sued for $25,000 for would appear in the local press detail­ land Rice recalled Alexander to be the alienation ofaffection by a St. Paul hus­ ing his pathetic condition. most cunning, the smartest, and the band of Alexander's childhood Alexander returned to St. Paul in best that baseball had sweetheart. He faced a variety of 1950 with a new lease on life after being ever seen. He wrote, charges in Omaha in 1930, most relat­ hired by the American Legion to serve Above everything else, Alex had one terrific fea ­ ing to violation of liquor laws.40 as an advisor to their junior baseball ture to his pitching - he knew just what the bat­ ter didn't want - and he put it there to the Although he and Aimee were remarried program. Alexander's assignment was half-inch. I would say that Alex was top man in 1931, his promise to her that he to tour Nebraska during the summer, among hurlers. He knew more about the true art 46 would quit drinking was soon broken. teaching good sportsmanship and pro­ or science of pitching. However, Alexander's remarriage viding coaching tips. His first tour stop It was Alexander's tragedy that apparently served to convince the was St. Paul, and the town set May 24 as although he could control a baseball, he wronged St. Paul husband to drop his Grover Cleveland Alexander Day. could not control his life or his suit. Unlike his 1926 homecoming, the peo­ destiny. In 1936 Alexander was thrown out of ple of St. Paul chose to ignore their his Evansville, Indiana, hotel room for native son and largely avoided the nonpayment of rent. He awoke in a parade, baseball game, banquet, and NOTES Nebraska Navy admiralship presenta­ local hospital, unable to explain how he I Alexander's Philadelphia teammate, Hans had received a large lump on his head.41 tion. The St. Paul Phonograph chas­ Lobert, recalled that Alexander had epileptic By 1939 he could be found sharing bill­ tised its readers by stating that the seizures throughout the years Lobert played on the Phillies, 1911-15. Lobert remembered that ing with a trained flea in New York. He celebration "would have been a much Alexander had to be held down and his tongue was able to support himself by answer­ bigger one if more folks would have grabbed to prevent choking. Brandy was kept on the bench to be poured down his throat in case a ing baseball questions and by serving bothered to attend and pay respect to a seizure occurred. Lawrence S. Ritter, The Glory as a greeter at a local tavern. man who has brought fame and of Their Times (Collier Books, New York, 1978), Under the title "One of the Greatest recognition to 'their home town' even 186. Ironically, the Yankees' Tony Lazzeri also suffered from epilepsy. Pitchers of All Time Now Walks the though he HAS had his 'ups and 2The Sporting News, November 15, 1950. Streets, Looking for a Job and a Bite to downs.' "44 3St. Paul Phonograph, October 13, 1926; St. Eat," a St. Louis newspaper chronicled That same year, the Phillies won Paul Republican, September 19, 1907; Ord Jour­ nal, September 19, 1907. Alexander's situation in 1944. At that their first pennant since 1915,when 4Central City Nonpareil, July 2, 1908. time, he was living in Cincinnati. He Alexander had led them with thirty-one 5Green's Nebraska Indian baseball team was 11 Nebraska History - Spring 1990

organized by Guy W. Green, a Lincoln resident, in 2:1 Ibid. It is interesting to note that the catcher ing baseball team barnstormed throughout the the 1890s. Supposedly comprised of native for these games was Leslie Nunamaker, a native Midwest during the and 1930s. The House American baseball players, the team actually had of Malcolm, Nebraska. Nunamaker had a twelve­ of David was a Protestant sect founded by Ben­ a majority of white players. A photograph of the year major league career as a reserve catcher for jamin Purnell in 1903. The players on the House team in the Society's collection substantiates the Boston, New York, St. Louis and Cleveland of David baseball team, like all male members of this. teams of the , 1911-22. the sect, kept their hair and beards unshorn "in f>Ga lesburg Republican-Register, April 13, 24St. Paul Phonograph, April 13, 1911. emulation of Jesus." The extra hair and beards 1909. 25Ibid., June 1, 1911. proved not to be a hindrance, as the House of 7Galesburg Evening Mail, April 14, 1909. 2oIbid., June 22, 1911. David teams routinely beat the best of the local xIbid., May 18, May 21, 1909; Galesburg 17 Ibid., October 12, 1911. teams sent to face them. Republican-Register, May 21, 1909. 2~ Ritter, Glory, 200 . wAccording to an interview with Alexander's YSt. Paul Phonograph-Press, May 21, 1909. NSt. Paul Phonograph, May 9, 1918. niece, Elma O'Neill of St. Paul, Alexander's 'OGalesburg Republican-Register, June 18, .l°The Sporting News, May 2, 1951. salary also went towards the support of his 1909. J 1Alexander acquired the nickname " 0 ld Pete" widowed mother and other members of the "Ibid., July 20, 1909. from Bill Killefer during a hunting trip in which family. Interview with Mrs. O'Neill took place on '2Ibid., July 3, 23, 1909. Alexander fell into a pool of alkali and mud. February 23, 1989. Tape available in Nebraska I.1Ibid., July 23, 1909. Killefer at first called Alexander "Alkali Pete" State Historical Society Archives. '4Ibid., July 26, 1909. after a cartoon character, but the name was shor­ 4°Omaha World-Herald, September 25, 1930. '5Galesburg Evening Mail, July 28, 1909. tened to "Pete" by Alexander's teammates. 4IIbid., August 4, 1936. 'f>Ibid., August 5, 1909. J2Tom Meany, Baseball's Greatest Pitchers 42St. Louis Globe-Democrat, August 22, 1944. I7Galesburg Republican-Register, August 19, (New York: A. S. Barnes, 1951),8. 4:10maha World-Herald, June 27, 1948. 1909. 33 The Sporting News, June 14, 1969. 44St. Paul Phonograph, May 31, 1950. 18St. Paul Phonograph-Press, August 27, 1909. 340maha World-Herald, October 17,1926. 45The Sporting News, April 25, 1951. 'YIbid., October 8, 1909. 35St. Paul Phonograph, October 13, 1926. 4f>"Focus," Lincoln Journal and Star, March 20Syracuse Post-Standard, July 21 , 1910. 36Ibid., November 3, 1926. 31, 1974. 21Syracuse Journal, August 29, 1910. 370maha World-Herald, October 4, 1929. 21St. Paul Phonograph-Press, September 23, 38Known as the "Whiskered Wizards" and the 1910. " Bearded Beauties," the House of David travel­

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